- Joined
- Mar 21, 2013
- Messages
- 37
I have neglected the forum for many months, but just wanted to share the completion of my 'boxes of bits' rebuild. The bike was all but finished last summer, with its first start being delayed by my inability to set the timing correctly - the timing had been set according to the timing marks, only for me to discover that my Maney crank had the keyway slots cut 90 degrees from standard; the deployment of a timing disc quickly resolved the problem! One good clean kick got the old girl going....... and from this point, a whole new set of problems started.
Historic rugby injuries have left me with a right knee joint that is sensitive to hyperextension of any kind and the sort of leg straightening required to get a good 'push through' on the kick start, turns out to be the perfect way to leave me crippled for at least a couple of weeks. Subsequent attempts to start the bike caused exactly this problem and I was left with little choice - either get rid of the bike or fit an electric start. I now live in France, so an Alton seemed the obvious choice. However, after an exchange of emails, they advised that their starter was not suitable for my bike - it is a 920 with Maney cases, crank and camshaft, stage two head and Kehein carbs. I couldn't afford an Old Britts starter and so I was stuck. Then, completely out of the blue, I received a tax rebate from before I retired, which was almost the same value as the cost of the Old Britts starter. I wasn't 100% convinced about the said starter, but I thought sod it, I've already spent a fortune on the bike, I may as well spend this free money to at least give me a chance of a useable bike.
Anyhow, the starter was fitted over the winter and, now that spring has arrived, I have a bike that I can ride. I photographed the installation and, should anyone be interested, will gladly post details of the process - however, as he threatened, it looks as if Fred has stopped producing his starter kit. I have only ridden it for relatively short distances on local roads as it now needs to be French registered and insured - this process is under way and will hopefully take no more than six weeks. I have just dragged the bike out for a ride and took a couple of not very good photos and, if I do it right, they should be shown below.
Can I just reassure you, that the cat in the first photo is not dead, just enjoying the early morning sunshine!
Only a few minor issues remain (I hope) a bit of oil seepage from the head gasket - I am using a composite gasket, so retorqueing should resolve this; occasional jumping out of fourth gear - can't remember if I replaced the detent spring, but will do so and see how it goes; It is running a little rich, surprising, as it is jetted for a standard 850, but i will wait and see how it goes when I can ride a little more aggressively; I have to shave a bit off the starter gear cover to make it fit with the Interstate side panels; I would also like to find a new way of fitting the left side panel - the carbs prevent the use of the original dzus fastener, so I am having to use a nut and bolt which necessitates the removal of the tank to get the panel off. Not ideal, I have fitted the fuse and charger point just under the seat to make life easier but it would be good to have the little bit of storage the side panel offers.
Again, if anyone is interested, I will gladly give a run down of the bikes spec.
First impressions are great. Before I bought the Norton, I ran a Honda VFR 800 for three years and eventually decided I admired the engineering but actually hated the bike - top heavy and soulless. The thing it did best was to fund 'project Norton'. It took a few kilometres to get over the shock of how different it felt from my old Commando - the memory is fading, but I did run her for over 20 years and so I imagine the feel of the bike should have become hard wired (maybe). The exhaust note is wonderful after the anaemic whisper and cam gear clatter of the Honda, more sharp and aggressive than my old 750, but wonderful non the less. The acceleration was probably the biggest shock and quite difficult to stop myself sliding backwards over the shiny seat - I think I will be looking for a trimmer to create a nice stepped one. I've only done 80 kilometres so far so will have to wait before I can discover what performance is there. The front brake is a revelation and is the first set up I have used that I feel true confidence in - maybe not a good thing, but I tried an emergency stop and made the front tyre squeal. I haven't ridden for over seven years and so am still getting back into it but, on first impressions, the handling is sublime. I love the way the Commando feels so light and nimble and how the rider feels a part of the bike - just the opposite of the Honda. I'm sure the Maxton suspension is a major contributory factor, with non of the fork dive I experienced on my old machine.
At the risk of boring everyone I'll leave it there. I'm thrilled, at last, to be out riding and so happy to be on a Commando once again. If I had the cash, I would love to build a completely standard bike to be its stablemate - the best of both worlds maybe?
Historic rugby injuries have left me with a right knee joint that is sensitive to hyperextension of any kind and the sort of leg straightening required to get a good 'push through' on the kick start, turns out to be the perfect way to leave me crippled for at least a couple of weeks. Subsequent attempts to start the bike caused exactly this problem and I was left with little choice - either get rid of the bike or fit an electric start. I now live in France, so an Alton seemed the obvious choice. However, after an exchange of emails, they advised that their starter was not suitable for my bike - it is a 920 with Maney cases, crank and camshaft, stage two head and Kehein carbs. I couldn't afford an Old Britts starter and so I was stuck. Then, completely out of the blue, I received a tax rebate from before I retired, which was almost the same value as the cost of the Old Britts starter. I wasn't 100% convinced about the said starter, but I thought sod it, I've already spent a fortune on the bike, I may as well spend this free money to at least give me a chance of a useable bike.
Anyhow, the starter was fitted over the winter and, now that spring has arrived, I have a bike that I can ride. I photographed the installation and, should anyone be interested, will gladly post details of the process - however, as he threatened, it looks as if Fred has stopped producing his starter kit. I have only ridden it for relatively short distances on local roads as it now needs to be French registered and insured - this process is under way and will hopefully take no more than six weeks. I have just dragged the bike out for a ride and took a couple of not very good photos and, if I do it right, they should be shown below.
Can I just reassure you, that the cat in the first photo is not dead, just enjoying the early morning sunshine!
Only a few minor issues remain (I hope) a bit of oil seepage from the head gasket - I am using a composite gasket, so retorqueing should resolve this; occasional jumping out of fourth gear - can't remember if I replaced the detent spring, but will do so and see how it goes; It is running a little rich, surprising, as it is jetted for a standard 850, but i will wait and see how it goes when I can ride a little more aggressively; I have to shave a bit off the starter gear cover to make it fit with the Interstate side panels; I would also like to find a new way of fitting the left side panel - the carbs prevent the use of the original dzus fastener, so I am having to use a nut and bolt which necessitates the removal of the tank to get the panel off. Not ideal, I have fitted the fuse and charger point just under the seat to make life easier but it would be good to have the little bit of storage the side panel offers.
Again, if anyone is interested, I will gladly give a run down of the bikes spec.
First impressions are great. Before I bought the Norton, I ran a Honda VFR 800 for three years and eventually decided I admired the engineering but actually hated the bike - top heavy and soulless. The thing it did best was to fund 'project Norton'. It took a few kilometres to get over the shock of how different it felt from my old Commando - the memory is fading, but I did run her for over 20 years and so I imagine the feel of the bike should have become hard wired (maybe). The exhaust note is wonderful after the anaemic whisper and cam gear clatter of the Honda, more sharp and aggressive than my old 750, but wonderful non the less. The acceleration was probably the biggest shock and quite difficult to stop myself sliding backwards over the shiny seat - I think I will be looking for a trimmer to create a nice stepped one. I've only done 80 kilometres so far so will have to wait before I can discover what performance is there. The front brake is a revelation and is the first set up I have used that I feel true confidence in - maybe not a good thing, but I tried an emergency stop and made the front tyre squeal. I haven't ridden for over seven years and so am still getting back into it but, on first impressions, the handling is sublime. I love the way the Commando feels so light and nimble and how the rider feels a part of the bike - just the opposite of the Honda. I'm sure the Maxton suspension is a major contributory factor, with non of the fork dive I experienced on my old machine.
At the risk of boring everyone I'll leave it there. I'm thrilled, at last, to be out riding and so happy to be on a Commando once again. If I had the cash, I would love to build a completely standard bike to be its stablemate - the best of both worlds maybe?